Growing Growers is a cooperative effort of K-State Research and Extension, University of Missouri Extension, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, Kansas City Food Circle, Kansas Rural Center and Cultivate KC.

Howdy Eaters - I promised myself that I wouldn't talk about the weather. Farmers are ALWAYS going on and on about the weather!! All I'm gonna say is - WHAT THE F%@# !!! (climate change scares the crap out of me...)

Anyway, let's not focus on the scary stuff. Instead, let's focus on the yummy stuff! This Friday will be packed with locally grown, organic goodness including WINTER VEGGIES from both Hoyland Farm and the Gibbs Rd. Community Farm of Cultivate KC. Sink your teeth into bodacious beets, turnips, carrots, spinach, sunchokes, bok choy, salad mix, oyster mushroom, and more. Other delights will include artisan bread, free-range eggs, grass-fed beef & lamb, pastured pork, herbal teas, gourmet soda, vegan chocolates, micro-brewed coffee, and luscious organic body products. What else, what else...oh yeah!! - It is "first friday" in the ol' Crossroads so make a night out of it. Walk the vibrant streets, check out some galleries, and end your night with live music (compliments of Checkered Past) and LIVE FARMERS (!!) at the BADSEED Market from 4-8 PM. YUM!!!Before I call it quits, I wanted to share with you a little video my dearest farming friends put together as a means of drumming up interest in their Community Supported Agriculture program & local foods in general. As a tired & struggling farmer I sometimes forget WHY ON EARTH I do what I do! This little video reminded me of the sheer delight that comes from working the land & feeding the community. I hope it puts a smile on your face and makes you HUNGRY for the up-coming season!! SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS & LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER...**to check it out click on the link and press play!! http://fairsharenews.blogspot.com/

"Learn how to grow an amazing amount of organic garden goods on an amazingly small amount of space. yes, it's all organic and, yes, it takes a helluva lot of work. these goods fill csa and market needs and you can learn all the skills necessary to do it for yourself if you're willing to devote 15 hours a week through the primary growing season. i'll require a bit of verifiable experience for the apprentice positions

volunteers needn't have experience, but must be willing to learn harvesting, planting and weeding. they must also be committed to 5 hours of work a week on a reliable schedule.

everyone will get lots of veggies and sourdough bread.. my earthen oven will enter into this project in some way - i just don't know how yet.

Welcome to URBAVORE - an off-grid, diversified, urban farmstead in the heart of KCMO. Born in 2011, URBAVORE is working towards the creation of an “edible oasis” that brings organic growth, sustainable life, and creative solutions to a city neighborhood. We grow an extensive variety of heirloom vegetables noted for their unique appearance and extraordinary flavor, as well as an array of culinary/medicinal herbs and edible flowers. URBAVORE is a non-certified, beyond organic operation dedicated to respecting both the health of the individual and the environment. It is our aim to build community and collective consciousness through the universal pleasure that comes from eating good food.

For the “meanest greens” in town, check out Lew's gourmet selection of urban-grown goodies. He grows a mouthwatering array of lettuces, spicy mustards, arugula, and gourmet salad mixes on KC’s west side. Other tasty morsels include heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra, and filet beans. New For 2011 -RUSTIC BREAD straight from Lew’s hand-built wood-fired oven. YUM!

OFFERINGS:

"OCCUPY A GARDEN - and take lots of my hearth baked sourdough breads with you!!!"

Avery's Produce of Hoyland Farm

Avery Lominska

North of Lawrence

Street-musician turned farmer, Avery Lominska, will be carrying on his father's legacy with an UNBELIEVABLE selection of homegrown goodness.

Avery's father, Bob Lominska, is a regular "rockstar" in the organic growing scene. He's been plowing the way for over 30 years. He's an encyclopedia of (dirt-filled) knowledge and an inspiration to his son who has boldly followed in his footsteps. At 31 years old, Avery has been a full-time farmer for 7 years! Take a bite out of a strong family tradition this Friday!!

Cultivate KC promotes small-scale, community-based, entrepreneurial farming in the KC metro area. Their 2 acre training farm produces some of the tastiest certified organic veggies on the market. Catch them every week during the regular growing season at the Brookside Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings.

OFFERINGS:

*Beets

*Carrots

*Turnips

*Funky Fresh Saute Mix

*Sun Chokes

*Spinach

Western Hills Produce

Alice & Marvin Huenefeld

Wellington, MO816-934-2549

Alice is famous for her utterly delicious baked goods made from homegrown, hand-milled whole wheat flour. Her tasty breads, cakes, cookies, and muffins are complimented by an assortment of jams, jellies, pickles, and relishes all made from ingredients sustainably grown on the farm. Marvin adds his own touch with one of a kind wood-turned items handcrafted with the utmost care and creativity. Products can be found during the regular growing season at the Westport Farmers' Market.

"We produce all-natural gourmet beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and eggs. All of our beef and lamb is 100% grassfed. They are never fed any grain, animal by products, antibiotics, or injected with growth hormones. We have been practicing Management Intensive Grazing since 1997. It is our goal to care for all of the livestock that we have been blessed with, in as natural and humane a manner as we can. Our chickens for meat and eggs are also raised on pasture with green grass under their feet as much as the weather in this part of the world allows. Our hogs are fed grain, but do live outdoors with dirt under their feet. We do not use any petroleum based pesticides or fertilizers on our pastures. We believe that healthy people, and healthy animals start with healthy plants and a healthy, biologically active, soil community. Our meats are available at the BADSEED Market or through our Community Supported Agriculture shares."

Our Grass Fed Operation has proven time and again that quality, taste, and tenderness take a dedicated plan. Not only the processing aging, but the types of feed our animals consume are of vital importance. We inter seed our pastures and hay fields with additional varieties of grasses and legumes each year. We also learn from our neighbors and contacts of many new veggies that are wonderful forage. learning all we can to create a superior product.

Chris produces old-world, rustic loaves from the finest locally-grown and milled flour on the market. His breads are made from a sour-dough "starter", lovingly kneaded, and baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. Flour and water never tasted so good!

John & Sandy's hand-crafted, organic body products are petroleum and chemical free and will not pollute the planet or irritate your skin! Furthermore, they are luxurious and fragrant and oooh soooo wonderful. They have the mother-load of offerings including tooth paste, dish soap, and detergent!!!...(not to mention your more typical health and beauty products). Lather up and feel good!!!